A public meeting of persons interested in the projected colony

in South Australia was held on Monday, in the large room at Exeter Hall. The number present amounted, we believe, to something between fifteen hundred and two thousand; among whom were many ladies. On the platform, were Mr. 1Volryche Whitmore, Sir William Moles- worth, Mr. Grote, Mr. Clay, Mr. M. D. Hill, Colonel Torrens, Mr. Ilutt, Mr. Poulett Scrope, Mr. Seholefield, Mr. Guest, Mr. Montefiore, Mr. John Melville, Sir Charles Lemon, Mr. Mullins, Mr. Borradaile, Mr. Daniel Wakefield, Mr. Wilks, Mr. Joseph Parkes, 111r. Childers, Captain Gowan, and Mr. Owen of Lanark.

Mr. Whitmore took the chair; and explained generally the plans of the gentlemen who had associated themselves together for the purpose of colonizing a portion of Australia. He spoke of the advantages which all nations had derived, after reaching a certain degree of wealth and population, from well-conducted systems of colonization ; and referred to the stream of emigration now flowing from this country as a proof that an outlet for our redundant population was required. It was, he said, undeniable, that in every profession and pursuit, from the highest to the lowest, there was a severe pressure. Afore room was wanted ; and it was his object and that of his friends to provide it. It was intended in the new colony to have a judicious admixture of capitalists and labourers—of some who had money, and some who brought skill and labour as their share. The system of colonization generally fol- lowed was defective, on account of this principle being lost sight of. The evils of that system it was intended to avoid.

" The system we propose to go upon is this—that all waste lands which it may be our intention to colonize shall be sold at a given price, or such !wire as the fair competition in the market may command, and the money which from time to time will thus conic into our hands, is to he expended in sending over young persons of the humbler classes—labourers and others; so that there may be a constant and gradual supply of industry to be employed on the lands thus purchased. That I take to he the main principle of our association; and if it he carried into etfert folly and fairly, I am inclined to believe that all those evils which IlOW VI iSt will be done away with, and that in transplanting portions of the community into this new count' y—taking, as we shall do, all the various grades of society—we shall be fulfilling a high duty by at once extending civili- zation abroad, and relieving embarrassment at home. In this way, as appears to me, we shall benefit those who leave and those who remain on our shores."

He tad long looked anxiously at the state of the great mass of the population in this country ; and after mature reflection, had satisfied himself, that the most feasible mode of relieving his fellow country- men from the pressure to which they were now subject was by adopting an enlightened system of colonization.

Mr. Grote moved the first resolution- " That the wealth and prosperity of this country have been greatly promoted by the establishment of British colonies in various parts of the world ; and that colonization, when conducted systematically, and upon sound principles, offers the means of extending italefinitely the commercial empire of the United Kingdom, and the field of employment for British capital and labour."

Ile said, that if ever there was a country calculated to prosecute co- lonization successfully on an extended smile, it was Great Britain. Thss character and habits of the population, the superabundance of that po- pulation, and the immense capital in vain lying in wait for profitable investment, offered the materials for colonizing with the greatest pos- sible advantage. The benefits that would hereafter arise from well- arranged colonization, would, in his firm belief, be tenfold greater than any of which experience had hitherto afforded us any knowledge. Front colonization, mid colonization alone, could relief be anticipated frorn that pressure which, in spite of all evidence of prosperity and inerease of capital, was undeniable and severe. Many serious mistakes hail been made in attempting to found colonies ; but such mistakes it would be their care to avoid.

" No gentleman can consider the public prospectus which I now hold in my hand—and one of the provisions of which is that the land of the colony, of which there is abundance, will be made to serve as the purchase -money far that labour which is so overabundant in this country—without being ronvinced that tl:e success of s.uch a colony is certain. Let gentlemen ponder well the nu- merous and important consequences to the colonies and the mother country likely to result from this one provision—a provision pregnant with niore Mr- portant cousequences than any provision of any other sew settlement of this country."

The country was no El Dorado, where gold could be picked up on the sea-shore ; but the land was rich, fertile, in inexhaustible quantity, and held out a certain and assured hope of reward, to the honest and industrious cultivator of it.

Mr. Clay seconded the resolution. He dwelt for some time on the constant mid extreme pressure which every business and profession in this country laboured under. From the higher and intellectual em- ployments down to the daily labourer, all felt the want of a more ex- tended field for his exertions, and a larger return for his labour. The gigantic energies of England wanted space for their exertion.

" How is this evil to be cured, since we cannot expect from the bounties of Providence that a miracle shall he wrought in our favour, and that millions of fertile acres shall rise and fill up St. George's Channel and the Irish Sea? How

al e we to remedy it There are two remedies which appear obvious. The first is, an abrogation of those laws which at resent, interfere to prevent the freeex- change of food grown in other countries in return for the manufacturing produce of our own population. (Loud cheering.) By the abrogation of these laws, we should, iu effect, add the fertile plaius on the banks of the Vistula and :His- sissippi to our own shores; and English capital would as certainly in them di- rect the phaigli, as though an Essex farmer directed the husbandry of their fields, and a British ;ploughman went forth from his roof to guide the team by which it was drawn."

Another remedy was colonization ; which, if well conducted, would prove more beneficial than the other.

" It would as effectually add millions of fertile acres to our shores, as if the miracle to which I have alluded, indeed took place, and the Irish Sea was filled up with fertile land. If that miracle took !dace, is it not clear that all distress would immediately cease; and that the employment which the addition of so many fertile acres would afford, must give a new stimulus to the prosperity of the country? Is it not clear, that the miserable competition for potato-gardens in Ireland would cease, and that the difficulties flowing from an unemployed population would cease? Does any man doubt that it would be well worth the while of our capitalists to take such land, at from les. to 20s. an acre."

Yet this would in fact be effected by colonizing a rich and unoccu- pied country. Mr. Clay then remarked upon the advantages which this extension of the mother country—this increase of a population with the same habits as Englishmen, and requiring the produce of Eng- lish labour—must have upon the commerce and manufactures of the nation ; and illustrated his argument by referring to the extent of our trade with North America as compared with that with European nations.

[Some interruption here took place, in consequence of a person in the body of the room wishing to address the meeting; but it was ar- ranged that the resolution should be gone through before any questions were put or answered.] Colonel Torrens proposed the second resolution- " That in establishing colonies, great care ought to he taken to combine labour and capital with land in such proportions as are best calculated to insure the prosperity of all classes of society; aud that in establishing modern colonies, this important consideration has been too generally overlooked."

The principle contained in this resolution, obvious as it was, had nevertheless been only partially adopted ; and Colonel Torrens invited the meeting to fly round the world with him, and give a glance at those colonies which had flourished and those which had failed, and examine the causes of their failure and success.

" The first colony established by the English was in the days of Elizabeth; it was founded in that province of America which, in compliment to "the Virgin Queen," seas called Virginia. To that most fertile portion of the world a num- tier of English settlers went out, having with them capital, tools) clothing, pro- visions ; in short, they were provided with every thing that was calculated to make them flourish. They did not flourish ; they perished. In two years after, another set went out ; they also perished. Two years more having elapsed, a third einhareation took place of persons who established themseh-es in Virginia: but this third body shared the fate of their predecessors—they perished. It was only just before, howerer, that Spain had established in the island of Hispaniola a colony which flourished to a degree that excited the wonder and envy of all Europe."

Now, how did it happen that the Spanish colony flourished, and the British colony was ruined ? The energy and enterprise of English- men were never more distinguished than at that period ; never was their superiority to Spaniards more signally demonstrated than in the days when the Spanish Armada was destroyed. But the cause of the failure of the English colonists was this- " The English went over to a beautiful country, possessing abundance of capital to work with. What did they when they arrived there? Why, they

spend themselves veer thftt eottntrp. They took giants of hod, and made the proportion between land and labuur (IA as made production nearly impossible. To produce every thing with effect, they,. must be a combination of labour. But here each family sat in a wilderness—alone—without commu- nication : they could not make roads they could not form a market. There- fore, from want of a combination of labour and the means of communication, this people, with all thew energy, with all thew capital, speedily faded to re- produce that capital, and eventually all perished. 111 Hispaniola what was done? The King of Spain nut only gave them land, but a portion of the natives of the iluuJ ; and the settles s made slaves of them. Therefore, just in proportion to the labour and capital Wa4 the production. Tha-, by this abounnation of slavery, they did that which, by legitimate and Cluistian means, I hope we are now about to do."

After the enfranchisement of the natives, ‘vhich th.-i King of Spain decreed at the instigation of the Spanish Wilberforce, Las Casas,

'the consequent commencement of the Negro slave-trade, Hispaniola still flourished, though by horrible means. But when did Virginia begin to flourish ?

" Not till the proportion between capital, labour, and land wa's adjusted. A Dutch vessel, full of slaves-, happened to be wrecked ou the shore; the people of %.irginia kept them and employed them as slaves, thus procuring the proportion between labour and the laud ; and then they began to raise tokieco, cotton, and those other things which !nought the extraordinary degree of prosperity that they continue to enjoy. If we look to other count' ies, we shall lind the same prineiple still in lance. The Dutch have been noted for tle•ir indestry and power to accumulate wealth. They established two colouies—one at the Cape of (food Ilepe and one utNew York, which was originally a Dutch colony. In New Vol k the inhabitants were peculiarly dense. The warlike nature of the Indians compelled them to combine ; they werc afraid to separate ; dreading'

the incursions of the Indians, they kept together, in order that they might be

reade to cooperate against the common danger. The i ff Now Yea k flourished. But the Dutch colony did not flourish. Why ? They adopted the ubsurd pineiple of giving away land ; the settler took large grants ; they einild not produce combination ; they could not find employment ; and the lhitell colonies degenerated, the people becoming perfect hages. The Ibach of the Cape of Good I lope are eveu now the rudest and must barbarous indivi- duals upon the face of the globe."

Colonel Torrens then alluded to the state of the Swan River Colony, and the eattsvs of its ruin.

" In the colonies of New South Wiles and Van Diemen's Land, the convict labour seat mat there, and given to the occupiers of the soil, enables them to Otain for each of their harms a sufficient number to cultivate it 6E:chi:ally; therefore, the colonies of New South Wales and Van I )iemen's Land ha.ve flourished eaasiderahly. What has been the fate of the Swan River colenv ? We have seen that the combination of labour in the Australian colonies, in Syd- ney and l'an Diemen's Land, caused them to flourish ; but there were no ciao- -victs sent out to the Swan River, and the principle of combining labour was there abandoned. Numerous grants were made. A sink individual had n1,000 woes — one person, I believe, had boo,i1On. These immense tracts separated the people, so that they cattail not commonly:ate at :dd. Ihey wale se severed, that instead of being able to assist each other, though thee wan: famishing they could not pass through the unreclaitned lands to tell their state of destitution. Capital was sent there ; but it was unproductive. Labourers were sent there ; some of whom died for want, and the others went to Van Diemen's Land. Out of four thousand persons, only fifteen hundred remain. They are in a miserable state ; and must remain so till the principle of justly combining and apportioning the laud, labour, and capital, is there acted on."

The hind in the new colony would be so apportioned as to prevent such a miserable failure as this.

" It is in the first place determined that the whole of the land in tl.e colony OA be declared to be public property. No individual Call by any means, or through any interest, acquire any potion of the land by gift. Not a single acre will, under any circumstances, be given away to individuals. There will be no place for patronage or jobbing in the lanai.- All will be set up at a fixed minimum price, or as much above that price as the competition of piddle auction will determine. I beg you will observe what the effect of this prin- ciple will be. The effect of it will be, that every capitalist will buy just as much land as he wants anal can employ and no mote. An emigraot would take any quantity ; he would take two millions of acres if it were given to him for nothing, though he could never employ but a fraction of it ; but it is not likely that a man will be such a fool as to buy more than he can actually culti- vate uccordiug to the amount of his capital."

An excellent effect of this resolution will be, that labourers will at first be compelled to wolk ; though, as wages will be high, in the course of two or three years they will earn enough to become landholders them- selves. And what is to be done with the money paid for land ?

" It is, according to the plan proposed in this colony, to he employed in bringing out fresh labourers, to replace him who has thus withdrawn his labour from the market ; thus keeping up the just proportion which should always exist between land, labour, and capital. The principle that all land shall be sold, anal the money employed to take out fresh labourers, will always insure a fair proportion of labour to the quantity of land settled ; thus realizing the prin. ciple of just proportion between lanai, labour, and capital. It will prevent the people from unduly spreading; which should be always avoided, for if they spread, it necessarily follows that they cannot have the proper degree of combi- nation. I am borne out in this opinion by a saying which contains a valuable principle—and perhaps the oldest iu the world—that "it is not good for man to be alone.'"

Air. Guest seconded the resolution, in a brief speech.

31r. Hutt then moved.—

"That in order to promote the greatest prosperity of a new colony, it is expe- dient that all waste land, without any exception, should be declared public land, and be disposed of to individuals by sale only, and according to an uniform, im- partial, and permanent system."

He enlarged upon the great importance of colonies to England, and on the mistakes which had been committed for want of having some uniform and enlightened system on which to found and cherish them. "The waste lands in our colonies were disposed of to persons in power in this country—to the hangers-on at the Colonial Office—to the friends of the existing Government—to political clergymen—and even to the Crown itself in the shape Cal Crown reserves. And in the colonies themselves, land to any extent was freely given to all those who had a little interest with those in power, and were willing to settle at a certain distance from the seat of Goverment. Is it likely that colonies can flourish where such a system is followed ? Could they do other- wise than languish, where every man is firced to do every thing for himself, and

and healthy country with the diseased, half-starved existence of British 1 operatives in rite land of their birth. 1 The fourth resolution %'as moved, as follows, by Arr. Nolett &Tope-

! "'filet it is also desirable the whole of the purchase-money of public land, ! wiThont a ray deduction, should be employed in providing a free passage from the mother country to the colony, of young adult persons of the lab to leg Hass who :nay be willing to emigrate, and in equal proportion of both SeXt'S.

Serope eillargad upon the necessity of finding that profitabbe. employment abroad for British industry, which it could no longer ob- tain at home ; and dwelt, amidst some interruption from the body. of the meeting, on the inefficiency of the cheeks to population %%inch 3Ialthus and the economists of his school had reeommended. There had been as many marriages since as before the jironitilgation of those doctrines. A permanent vent for every possible increase of population would be provided, if this new scheme was extensively acted upon.

Mr. in seconding, the resolution, expressed his great satisfac- tion that means would be taken to secure sound moral religious and weft!l education to the colonists.

Air flanson moved the next resolution-

" 'flit amongst the unoccupied portions of the earth avhich form part of the British donnuions, the South coast of Australia appears to be a spot peculiarly suitable fur founding a colony upon the principles embodied in the preceding resolutions."

Ile described the localities and natural advantages of the new colony.

" The place in which it is proposed that the new colony of Southern Australia shall be founded, is caw which has peculiar advantages over every other part of Austr"lia, by the possession of that which bas hitherto formed one of the chief inifesliments to the settlement of that country ; viz. facilities of communication amongst the settlers prior to the formatiola of roads. You are all aware, that the rapid progress of the Ainerie:an colonies was greatly facilitated, and their pros- pet ity increased, by the advantages derived in that country from easy water- carriage. Advantages of a slim ar character, awl not greatly ifill•rior ha degree, are to be found in the present location. Around the shores of the two riallfs which are included in the limits of the new colony, the settlers may lawate them- selves; and they will be enabled to convey by water all their prodime to the cetirc..1 mailset of that colony, where they ean bring home in ration all those manufactures and convenienves and luxuries of life which they may be unable to pa oduce at home. This is au advantage which was dellied to previous Austra- lian colotiies. But it may be said, that the possession of easy nwans at cenvey- ing his prod LIM to mai ker, though ef great importance to the settler, is but of little emisequence compared with the assurance that the soil which he is to cul- tia ate is sufficiently fertile to reward his labours and reinnuetate him for his outlay of c ipital." f)f• this fact there was no doubt. The fertility of the soil was un- questioned.

" One of the most important pieces of evidence is that of an individual who resided for more than seven months on Kangaroo Island. 1 fe not only bears Ole strongest testimony to the fertility of the soil and the amenity of the climate, hut is willing tam give the best proof of his veracity by himself beemninas one of our colonists and settling himself on the place he has discovered. Anil this he has been induced to do, although he possesses many acres in Van I)ie- maueaas Lind, owing to the impel ior fertility. of Souther n Austialia. Owing to the difficulty experienced two years ago in getting Government to sanction the proposition, he was unable to wait, mid has gone to Van Dieniera's Land : but lie pledged himself that lie would join the colonists the first opportunity ; thus furnishing the strongest possible proof of his sincerity and of his confidence in the fitness of the place far new settlers."

31r. Hanson concluded by mentioning, that be had given the clearest proof of his confidence in the truth of the statements he bad inirdr.•, by having himself resolved to proceed with his fitmily to the new colony with the first body of settlers who left this country. Mr. Robert Owen (not of Lanark), in seconding the resolution, said that he had himself formed a similar resolution.

Mr. M. 1). Hill presentedhimself to explain the principles on which this great undertaking was to be accomplished. The land open to colo- nization was equal in extent to France, Spain, and l'ortugal ; mid it was so far removed from other parts of Australia, that there would be no fear of communication with convicts. There was to be no convict labour in the new colony; and this he considered a great advantage.

" I have this morning (he said) had my attention called to a letter from a lady living in New South Wales. She keeps two arm servants and one woman servant. One of her men servants was sent abroad for committing a man- slaughter nearly approaching in animosity to murder; the other man had been convicted of an aggravated burglary. The woman was transported liar the more mitigated offence of bigamy. In such a family what must be the feelings of a mother' not for the purity only, but for the very safety of her children ? I can- not believe that there is any mother present—and I trust I see many—who would not shudder at the bare thought of subjecting her offspring to such con- tamination."

But the new colony was to be provided with free labour by the fol- lowing nleans.

" The proceeds of the sales of all the land are to be expended in cat iyitig out labourers to cultivate that land. This is the great principle which has been kept in view ; and the hill will appoint Commissioners to whom it will be en- trusted to carry that principle into execution. They will have the power to raise a fund, secured on the land, to be repaid by the future sales. This arrange- ment has been made, in order that no time niav be lost ; but that after hewing obtained y■nir approbation and the sanction of Parliament, we may at once pro- ceed in this great work. These Commissioners will appoint Sub-Commission- ers, resident in the colony, whose duty it will be to see that the principles laid down are duly carried out."

The government of the colony by Commissioners was only to be temporary, for as soon its the number of inhabitants reached ..i0,000, a constitution was tobe granted by the King. fie concluded by inftving:_.

" That the provisions for the peace, order, and good government of the British Province of South Australia, as contained in the bill now before Parliament, are highly satisfactory."

Mr. Daniel Wakefield, in seconding the resolution, avowed his soli- citude for the future good government of the colony. It was at first proposed to make it independent of the mother country ; but this was objected tai; and it was then resolved to adopt the arrangement explained by Mr. Hill, by which the inestimable benefit of local self-government etas seemed.

" This is one of the greatest checks on bad government at home towards our co'amies abroad that could be devised. Theie is another feature in the settlement of this cola:1y, which is different from any of the other colonies,--namely, that it is to yeast nothing to the mother country, as all the expenses are to be rlvfrayed ficua the price to be obtained for the lands. All persons contributing to the advancement of the proposed association, either by purse or by their endeavours otherwise, will have a right, which I believe no Parliament will ever venture to deny, to see that the colony will be properly governed ; awl 1 Ii we myself no douht that it will be so on every piaci* of justice, as well as front the desire of those who promote it that such should be the ease."

Mr. Wakefield, in conclusion, paid a high compliment to Mr. Spring Rice ; and expressed the gratitude of himself and his coadjutors for the speedy, statesmanlike, and generous assistance he had uffinaled in the prosecution of their great undertaking.

Sir William Molesworth moved a resolution of thanks to Mr. Rice, in these words-

" That in the opinion of this meeting, the thanks of the country are due to 31r. Secretary Spring Rice, for his prompt and enlightened conduct in pro- moting the beneficial public objects of the South Australian Association."

In this expression of gratitude to Mr. Rice, Sir William said he cordially concurred; and he also took the opportunity of mentioning, that Mr. Stanley had paid great attention to the plan, and had he re- mained in office, would have given it his best support.

Mr. J. W. Childers having seconded the motion, the Chairman said that the resolutions, being now fairly before the meeting, he should move that they be adopted.

A Mr. Thomas Goode, who said he came from Kettering, in North- amptonshire, then detained the meeting for some time with a rambling eulogy on his own acquirements, delivered in very curious phraseology, amidst shouts of laughter and cries of " Question!" He finished by declaring his willingness to devote his precious services to the colony. Mr. Robert Owen (of Lanark) spoke in favour of the scheme; which he thought would be beneficial in the present state of public ig- norance relative to the real sources of wealth and happiness.

In reply to some questions from Captain Murray, Mr. Hill stated, that no placeman or placehunter was connected with the undertaking; and that no intention existed of applying to Government for the loan of transport .vessels or assistance in any other way. Mr. Whitmore also said, that he had brought in the bill to establish the new colony with the full approbation of Government. Mr. D. Wakefield also replied at length to a string of questions put by a Mr. Lovell, relative to the future existence of jobbing in the new colony, which that person feared would be found to prevail extensively. The meeting appeared to be satisfied, that out of 5,000/. a year, to which the expenses of the Government for the first year are limited, the means of supporting sinecurists, or an oppressive church establishment, could hardly be found.

The resolutions were then adopted unanimously ; and on the motion of Mr. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Montefiore in very handsome terms, a vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Whitmore for his conduct in the chair. This was suitably acknowledged ; and the meeting separated. [We were never present at a meeting where so much earnest atten- tion was paid to the speakers, as at this. The persons assembled seemed really anxious for the interesting information so fully and ably communicated. Once or twice, when some over-eager individuals in the crowd wished to speak before their turn came, there was a little confusion ; but this lasted only two or three minutes, and order was restored.]